Music-rack



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOS. IVARD, OF BIRMINGHAM, PENNSYLVANIA.

MUSIC-RACK.

Speccaton of Letters Patent No. 14,935, dated May 20, 1856.

To ZZZ whom t may concern Be it known that I, THOMAS lVAnn, of Birmingham, in the county of Huntingdon and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and Improved Music-Back; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawings, making a part of this specification, in which- Figure l, is a front view of my improvement. Fig. 2, is a transverse vertical section of ditto, (m), Fig. l, showing the plane of section. Fig. 3, is a horizontal section of ditto, (y), (y), Fig. l, showing the plane of section.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several figures.

This invention relates to a new and improved music rack, to be applied to pianofortes, organs, melodeons, etc., for holding sheets of music or music books.

The invention consists in the peculiar construction of the rack, as will be hereinafter fully shown and described, whereby the rack may be readily folded so as to allow the cover of the instrument to be closed over it, and the books or sheets of music adjusted to suit the performer, and the sheets expeditiously twined while adjusted to the rack.

To enable those skilled in the art to fully understand and construct my invention, I will proceed to describe it.

A, represents the base of the rack, or a portion of the upper part of the instrument to which the rack is attached.

B, represents a rectangular frame, the lower part of which at each end is pivoted to one end of arms, (a), (a), the opposite end of which arms are pivoted to the base, A, as shown clearly in Figs. 2 and 3. The lower cross piece, (b), of the frame, B, is pivoted at each end to sliding blocks, (c), (c), which lit or work in grooves, (CZ), (cZ), in the base, A, see Fig 2. By this mode o f attaching the frame, B, to the base, A, the frame may be lowered in a horizontal position, as shown in red, in Fig. 2.

C, represents a bar fitted vertically and permanently in the frame, B. Through the center of this bar a horizontal bar, D, passes, said bar being allowed to work freely therein. Each end of the bar, D, the one permanently, the other by a set screw, (5'), is attached to a vertical bar, E, E, the upper and lower ends of which are fitted in grooves in the cross pieces of the frame, B, the lower ends being formed into horizontal slides.

To the upper ends of the bars, E, E, a horizontal bar, F, is attached by springs, (e), (e), and loops, (cZ), (a), said springs being allowed to slide up and down in the back parts of the bars, E, the springs passing over the top of the bar, E, and projecting downward in front of said bar; see Figs. l and 2.

At the center of the bar, E, a blade, L, is pivoted to work in the manner of a penknife blade. At the outer end of L, a wire, (n) works by a pivot, designed to slide over and secure to the frame the top part of sheet music, which wire (n) when in use is parallel with the blade, L.

To the outer ends of the slides on the bars, E, E, arms, are attached by pivots,

g), one arm to each bar, and the outer ends of these arms are connected by pivots, (Zz), to a bar, Gr, which has t-wo lips, (i), attached to it, one near each end, said lips lprojecting upward above the surface of the ar, To the center of the bar, G, a plate is attached by a pivot, (Zu), and a spring, is connected to the inner end of said plate, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 3. The outer end of the plate, has a clamp attached to it, to receive one of the leaves of the music book.

The music is placed with its lower edge on the bar, G, and the springs, (e), (e), fit over the upper part of the book when opened. The bar, G, it will be seen, on account of being attached to the arms, (f), is allowed to adjust itself to accommodate the thickness of the book where it is secured by the adjustable bar, D, and set screw, (Zf), and the springs, (e), (e), will yield or give for the same purpose. The book may be moved either to the right or left by operating the horizontal bar, D.

The plate, is secured against one end of the bar, G, by a catch, (Z), and when the right hand leaf is to be turned, the plate is released from the catch, (Z), by hand and the spring, (7c), will throw the plate, and the leaf which is attached to it over to the opposite side of the book, only one plate, (j), is represented, but more may be employed.

The above device is simple, may be made plate, (j), attached to it, provided with a at a small cost, and is a great improvement spring, (le), the above parts being fitted in on the racks in common use. a frame, B, which is allowed to fold or be Having thus described my invention, turned in a vertical or horizontal position,

5 What I claim as nevv and desire to secure by the above parts being arranged as shown, 15

Letters Patent, is-- for the purpose specified.

The jointed or adjustable bar, Gr, and the THOMAS WARD. bar, F, provided with the blade, L, and at- Witnesses: taehed to the sliding bars, E, E, by the slid- JOHN OWENS,

10 ing springs, (e), (e) the bar, G, having a JAMES THOMSON. 

